Improvement in boot and shoe counter supports



G. W. P 0W E R S.

BOOT AND SHOE COUNTER SUPPORTER.

Patented Sept. 26, 1876.

No..18Z,704.

I NV EN'| 'O R N-FETERS, PHOTO-LITHGGRAPHER, WASHINGTO N, D C

ATTORN Y6 GEORGE PowERs, or DECATUR, ILL NoIsf IMPROVEMENT IN B'OOT AND SHOE COUNTER" SUPPORTS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 182,704,dated September 26, 1876; application filed- July24, 1876. v V I To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, GEORGE W. POWERS, of Decatur, in the county of Macon and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Boot and Shoe Counter Supports; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it pertains to make and use it, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, which form part of this specification.

My invention relates to counter-supports for boots, shoes, and similar articles of foot wear; and consists in the parts hereinafter described and claimed.

Referring to the drawings, Figure 1 represents my device in full. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal central section of same. Fig. 3 represents my improvement attached to a shoe, the heel of which is cut away, so as to show the direction of the prong and the clinching of its point. Fig. 4 is a modification, showing differences in details of construction.

A is the shank body or prong, and is constructed with sides gradually tapering from its upper to its lower extremity, so as to be of a double-wedge shaped structure. One side of its point is dressed away at a, forming an incline angular to the upper portion of such side, and thus adapted to yield readily to a direct-acting pressure, and turn or bind in upon itself in a direction diametrically opposite to such dressed side. The upper portion of the prong A is constructed with a headed projection, B, formed by extending the extremity of the prong out in a plane continuous with the body of same, while the union of the prong and the counter-piece O is effected by the latter being rigidly secured to the inner side of the top of the prong, which does not affect the symmetry of the parts since the counter-piece is of less depth dimensions than the head of the prong. A hammering-surface is thus obtained, which is parallel with the prong, and permits of the actuating mechanism operating against the latter in the same plane with its line of action. The counterpiece 0 is of an oblong rectilinear construe surface is of a convexical form, sloping from the longitudinal center to either side, thus com; bining strength of resistance with a tasty appearance. It may be punctured at its top, so as to allow of its being secured to the counter by any suitable engaging device; or it may be without such puncture. So, too, the prong may be serrated or notched at its corners, so as to obtain a more secure engagement of same with the heel; or these notches or barbs may be omitted entire. These two pieces A and C may be formed independently, and then united by any process; or they may be cast in the same and single piece of metal, the method of union, either by wrought or cast processes, not being material to my invention.

The modification shown in Fig. 4 of the drawings is a variance in construction from my main principle, and at once explains it self. The interior projecting lugs 01 are designed to fit snugly against the lower exterior portion of the counter, and serve to hold same in place against any tendency of same to rise.

manufacturing a shoe, in order to have an exterior counter-piece sustained by a shank passing out of view immediately at the base of the counter and intermediate same and the first lift of the heel.

Heretofore it has been necessary for an exterior counter-support to expose all or a considerable portion of its bearing-shank on the lateral surface of the heel, thus imparting an unsightly and objectionable appearance to the support or else it has been necessary to work in the support during the process of manufacturing the heel.

My im proved support, however, only requires a hole to be punched in the heel of a shoe already made, and then, by aid of a hammer, preferably used with a hammering set mechanism, drive the prong into the heel, and bring the counter-piece up true against the side of the counter. I am enabled to accomplish this by the three peculiarities of my device, namely,, first, .the obtuse angular inclination of thecounter piece and the prong, same being cast or wrought in one and the same piece of metal second, the sectional dressed side of the point of the prong, which, by the resistance of the' heel-lifts, is turned and clinched automatically; third, the hammering-surface on head of the prong, presenting a line of action for the received force coincident with the line of direction of such prong.

Having fully described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-- A counter-support consisting of the part 0 GEO. W. POWERS.

Witnesses:

ALBERT W. BRIGHT,

. F. 0. MGCLEARY. 

